Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at speed in excess of 60mph the suspension, transmission, driveshafts failed multiple times. Require tow serviced each time due to complete powerfailures. Vehicle locked and forced me into emergency lane on the nj turnpike. Landrover replaced only the battery and alternator the first time and 3 months later the failure happened again , and they replaced the battery and alternator again. Vehicle has electronic problems I have had speakers,ECU sensors, steering wheel motor, parking sensors all replaced in a 12 month span of a 2 year lease. Landrover will not help me obtain a safe replacement for the remained of my lease.
While driving on the freeway @ about 65 MPH a loud screeching noise just came out of no where then the vehicle would not accelerate when putting your foot on the gas & when I tried to accelerate it was accompanied by more loud grinding noises! We were almost killed on the freeway because we were in the fast lane & the car locked up!!! I had to have it towed home @ a cost of $300. There was an investigation opened for her problem action # ea0712 for component power train:driveline:differential unit, power train:axle assembly:axle shaft, power train:driveline:driveshaft. Prior to this I have had no problems or any signs of any problem with my 2004 Range Rover hse. I called Range Rover today (Monday 11/26/07) @ [phone] and was rudely advised by the rep. That she wasn't a auto mechanic & that I would have to deal with it with my local dealership. …
Driving on city streets, about to enter the freeway, the vehicle lost power, making awful mechanical noises. The engine was running but pressing on the accelerator resulted in metallic crunching noise and no movement. I was stranded, the vehicle was towed some 35 to the purchasing dealer. I was informed that the front differential / drive shaft failed and will be replaced. This is the second such failure. The first occurred in October 2006. Luckily both times were at slow speeds, close to home, and during the day. If this catastrophic failure of the front differential / drive shaft were to occur at speed?I hate to think of the accident that might happen, the damage and injuries that might occur. This is a serious design flaw which the company needs to address with a New design to replace the defect and dangerous design.
Hear faint groaning from front differential for about 500 miles prior to incident. Then at about 38K miles while driving at 60 MPH - a loud grinding noise and no acceleration. Steered vehicle to side of road - immobilized. Problem - destroyed front differential and coupling to transmission. Dealer replaced with "improved" parts and revised installation procedure with promise that this replacement should last for the life of the vehicle. I am concerned about it being a recurrent issue, especially after reading that this seems to happen every 20K to 30K miles. Which means that the next projected failure would not be covered by the manufacturer warranty and would be totally my cost to repair.
Was at a red light 3 days ago and heard a loud bang from the transmission area of my 2004 Range Rover. I put the car in neutral then drive and heard a grinding sound. The car was unable to move. I had the car towed to Range Rover, encino approximately 100 miles away. Range Rover said it was the front differential that was broken. The same day that I picked up the car from the service department, about 70 miles into the trip home the transmission began to rev while I was at a cruising speed of 70 MPH. I thought it was a down shift but the car revved to 6,000rpms then the warning display said "trans. Failsafe mode." I am at a loss and am very disappointed.
On 7/22/07 my 2004 Land Rover Range Rover without warning and traveling approx 20mph started making a very loud grinding noise and came to a halt. I put it in park and the noise was gone. Then I shifted it into drive and again grinding noise and no movement. I shut it down and called for a tow (flatbed). At the repair shop (not dealer - the dealer said they have not heard of this issue) told me this is common with rr 2003-05 models. Since it is a common problem and a clear manufacture defect, Land Rover or the Ford motor group should be held liable and recall all affected models and repair them. I had to pay $2600.00 for a New differential and driveshaft.
I noticed a loss in power to the Land Rover Range Rover. Also noticed a clunking noise from the front of the SUV. The SUV was now in the shop for a repair that was common on the Range Rover to replace the front differential and the driveshaft. If I had not been alert to the noise when I had the window down I might have experienced a hazardous situation on the highway. The fix at this time was just replace the parts with New ones, but I understood that this was not addressing the problem, but just providing a temporary solution until suvwas out of warranty period. The SUV is a 2004 Range Rover with 33K miles on it.
While driving home the front differential started leaking. Park the car and find thick fluid on the ground. Take to dealership and they find leaking front drive shaft joint o-ring. They replaced and aligned front diff. Lrna is aware of differential problems and the dangers that can come from it. After talking to lrna about the many problems we have had with this car it is very clear that they don't care about the customer other then to keep fixing the car under there warranty. I have heard of many cases of front differential's going bad on the Rover forum. Please check into this before someone is killed.
I was driving 75 MPH on highway on June 1st, 2016 when a loud grinding noice occurred in the front end followed by loss of drive train. Car almost lost control but was able to coast to side of road. The car would still roll while in park and finally had to put emergency brake to stop it. A put in neutral warning came on in dash and I shut the motor off and left on the side of the road. This was a scary and dangerous experience and I would like to know what my options are and if this is a recall what can I do after it has failed.
Driving car home and find viscous fluid leaking from front coupler. Take to dealer and they find rear drive shaft assembly gone bad! Replaced/repaired rear drive shaft assembly. (propeller shaft) this is the second problem with differential issues. (both in the same day!) again, lrna is aware of the ongoing problems with it's drive shafts on the Rover. After talking to them it is very clear that they don't care that they have a car out there on the road with problems that could kill someone. Take some action!
NHTSA investigations
Front differential/driveshaft failure
In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), Ford stated that the primary cause for the majority of the reported front differential/drive shaft failures is a misalignment of the joint between the two components.certain levels of misalignment May over time cause an uneven wear of the splines.continued wear of the splines May result in a shearing of the splines…
Front diff. / propeller shaft failure
Summary:in a letter dated December 2, 2008, Ford motor company (Ford) notified NHTSA that Land Rover is conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 2003 through 2005 range Rover vehicles built at the solihull (uk) assembly plant from January 3, 2002 through February 22, 2005, to replace the front driveshaft joint (NHTSA recall no. 08v-635, Land Rover recall no. P041).
Transmission complaints in other New Range Rover years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover, 76% of the model year's 34 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Land Rover New Range Rover transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.